Recently, it was announced that Kenneth Gasque, the founder of the Lanzarote Ironman race, would be honoured with a statue in Puerto del Carmen. We visited Kenneth and sculptor Cíntia Machín to find out more.
Kenneth Gasque is well-known to anyone involved in sport and athletics on Lanzarote. Arriving to manage the La Santa complex in the 1980s, he went on to create and promote several regular sporting events on the island, including the island’s Ironman race, the Wine Run and this month’s Ocean Lava triathlon. Thanks to his restless activity, his passion for the island and his love of sport, Lanzarote now enjoys an international reputation as a sporting destination.
Kenneth’s legacy prompted Lanzarote’s island government, the Cabildo, to propose a monument in his honour. The sculpture will be located on the Avenida de las Playas, near the finishing line for the Ironman Race and reflects the fact that Kenneth has been a constant presence at the end of the race for many years, often remaining there until midnight to congratulate everyone who makes it across the line.
The life-sized bronze statue will depict Kenneth in the act of presenting a medal, and it is planned that passers-by will be able to pose with the sculpture. Kenneth says that when the idea was proposed to him, he took it as a fantastic honour – “I was laughing, thinking “Can this be real?”
Although there is no fixed date for the unveiling of the statue and a lot of work yet to be done, it is hoped that it will be in place for next year’s Lanzarote Ironman.
At her studio in Janubio, sculptor Cíntia Machín says she was “delighted” to receive the commission, which was proposed by Cabildo Sports Councillor Juan Monzón. She’s worked closely with Kenneth since then, taking casts that will then be used to build a clay model around a wire frame. Once the work is finished, it will be cast in bronze at a foundry in Tenerife.
Cíntia studied at Lanzarote’s Pancho Lasso art school before further education at the University Complutense in Madrid and is now an established artist back on her native island. She has already created public works such as the statue of Mararía in Femés and a tribute to sweet potato farmers in San Bartolomé.
Sports Foundation
In conjunction with the statue news, it has also been announced that the Gasque Sport Foundation will be founded to assist young islanders to achieve their sporting dreams.
Despite all he’s done for the island, Kenneth insists that it’s “Time to give back” to Lanzarote, and the foundation will be a key element of this.
“César Manrique’s legacy is visible everywhere on Lanzarote and show the power that a foundation can have on the island,” says Kenneth. The aim is to provide support and assistance for individuals who show sporting promise, regardless of their physical ability.
While sport is strong on Lanzarote, youngsters often face severe difficulties once they reach a certain level of achievement. Specialised training, equipment and transport costs for competitions off-island have often proved difficult on an isolated island.
The Foundation aims to “level the playing field” in this regard, offering youngsters the chance to reach their full potential.
The first event for the Foundation will be on the 1st November, from 7 pm to midnight at the Cangrejo Rojo restaurant on C/Roque Nublo in Puerto del Carmen. Guests will receive a welcome drink, a threecourse meal with wine and there’ll also be a live music and a charity auction.
Tickets for the event cost €55 and are available from: rosemary@mice-life.com. Local businesses who’d like to donate a prize for the auction are also invited to get in touch.
Win two free tickets!
The Gasque Sports Foundation is also offering two FREE tickets for the event to the first correct answer to the following question:
What was the date of the first Lanzarote Ironman competition?
Send your answers to the email address/WhatsApp your answers to 628628083 by October 15th.
Leave a Reply
Want to join the discussion?Feel free to contribute!